Myanmar army tightens security at Kokang region
Myanmar’s army beefed up security measures in Laukkai, the capital city of the semi-autonomous Kokang region, in the northern state of Shan after a blast occurred at a private house of a Kokang ex-official.
Security forces also discovered a suspected bag containing many night binoculars, 108mm rocket launchers, and grenades scattering a hill 3.2 kilometres north of Laukkai.
On October 18, 2015, Myanmar lifted the ban on militarily managing the Kokang region, the focal point of military conflicts between the governmental forces and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in February, 2015.
The MNDAA unilaterally announced a ceasefire on June, 2015 for peace and stability along the border for the general election in November that year.
However, the MNDAA was not invited to participate in a peace agreement that the Government signed with eight armed groups on October 15, 2015.
The Myanmar government wants to hold independent talks with the group.